AIR.L Regulatory News (AIR)

Air Partner plc

("Air Partner" or "the Group")

PRE-CLOSE STATEMENT AND CHANGE OF ACCOUNTING REFERENCE DATE

Air Partner, the provider of air charter services to corporates, high net worth individuals and governments, is today releasing a pre-close statement ahead of entering a close period.

Since the publication of the Trading Update on 16 July 2013, in which the Board said it expects full year underlying profit before tax for the period ending 31 July 2013 to be ahead of both the prior year and expectations, there have been no significant changes to the Group's trading or outlook.

Air Partner plc also announces that its accounting reference date has been changed from 31 July to 31 January. The next results to be announced by the Company will be a second interim statement in respect of the six month period ending 31 July 2013. These results will not be audited but will be reviewed by the Company's auditor, Deloitte LLP. This will be followed by the audited financial statements for the 18 month period to 31 January 2014.

This decision will bring the busier part of the year, where most of the profit is generated, into the first six months of Air Partner's financial year. This will enable better investment planning internally and will give shareholders greater visibility, at an earlier stage, of the likely full year result.

Air Partner will pay a second interim dividend of 14.0p on 25 October 2013 in respect of the period to 31 July 2013.

Air Partner plc will enter a close period on 31 July 2013.

Ends

26 July 2013

About Air Partner:

Air Partner is an international provider of aviation services to industry, commerce, governments and individuals worldwide. The company has earned global recognition as a leading aircraft charter broker and organises ad hoc charters of aircraft of every size for any reason. Its three main divisions, supported by a host of support teams, comprise Air Partner Private Jet Broking, Air Partner Commercial Jet Broking and Air Partner Freight Broking. The Commercial Jet Broking division charters large airliners with 20 to 500 seats for groups of every size. The Private Jet Broking division offers ad-hoc charter and the Company's unique pre-paid JetCard scheme on aircraft with less than 20 seats. Air Partner Freight Broking charters aircraft of every size to fly any cargo anywhere, at any time. The Group, which was formed in 1961, is headquartered in the UK, with 20 international offices, and is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange. Air Partner's expertise at providing unsurpassed private flying experiences at the best price is recognised by the honour that it is the only company in the aviation industry to hold a Royal Warrant, as Supplier of Aircraft Charter to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a globally recognised mark of excellence. 

www.airpartner.com